Motorola Moto G31 review
The Motorola Moto G31 is a budget-friendly smartphone that's making waves in the UK with its affordable price point of £169 for the 64GB base model. The standout feature of this device is its OLED display, boasting vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, its performance and camera capabilities may not be as impressive, leaving some to wonder if it's worth the investment. As we delve into the details, let's see how this phone stacks up against its competitors in the budget-friendly market.
Build Quality and Design
The Motorola Moto G31 is a budget-friendly smartphone that boasts an impressive OLED display as its highlight feature. In terms of build quality and design, the device delivers a solid overall experience. The Moto G31's design is sleek and modern, with a compact footprint that makes it easy to hold and use with one hand. The phone's matte-finish back panel feels premium to the touch, and the subtle curves of the device provide a comfortable grip in the hand. While not exactly pocket-friendly due to its slightly larger size, the Moto G31's dimensions are still within reasonable limits. One notable feature of the design is the minimalist approach taken by Motorola. The phone's front and back panels have no visible logos or branding, giving it a clean and clutter-free look that many users will appreciate. However, this minimalism comes at the cost of any distinctive visual flair, which some may find dull compared to more ornately designed competitors. In terms of construction quality, the Moto G31 is solidly built with sturdy materials that should withstand normal wear and tear over time. The device's hinges and joints feel securely attached, and the buttons are snappy and responsive. However, there might be a slight creakiness in the frame when applying pressure, which could be seen as minor trade-off for this price point. While not groundbreaking or innovative, Motorola's design for the Moto G31 hits all the right notes for a mid-range smartphone. It's well-balanced, easy to use, and has an understated style that many will appreciate. If you're looking for a reliable daily driver with excellent display quality, the Moto G31 is certainly worth considering – but don't expect any revolutionary design or build innovations at this price point.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Motorola Moto G31 is a pleasant surprise in an otherwise budget-friendly smartphone. The 5,000mAh battery is fairly common at this price point, but its efficiency makes it a standout feature. With moderate use, I found that the Moto G31 lasted a full day without any issues. However, heavy users may need to top up their device before bedtime. The phone's energy-efficient Mediatek processor helps conserve power, and the battery drain has been minimal during my testing period. One thing to note is the 10-watt charging speed, which is not exactly speedy. Recharging the battery takes a bit longer than usual, but it's not a deal-breaker by any means. In terms of battery life, I'd rate the Moto G31 as average to above-average for its price point. It won't blow you away with exceptional battery performance, but it will get you through a full day without any significant issues. If you're a heavy user or have demanding needs, you may need to top up your device occasionally. Overall, the Motorola Moto G31's battery life is a respectable feature that adds to its overall value proposition. While it may not be the best in class, it's sufficient for casual users and provides peace of mind for those who want a reliable phone without breaking the bank.
Display
The Motorola Moto G31 boasts an impressive OLED display that sets it apart from its peers in the budget-friendly smartphone market. This feature alone justifies its price point of £169 for the 64GB base model. The display's visuals are vibrant and immersive, with rich colors that pop on the screen. The deep blacks are also noteworthy, adding to the overall visual appeal. Whether you're watching movies, browsing social media, or playing games, the Moto G31's OLED display is sure to provide an engaging viewing experience. One of the standout aspects of the display is its ability to render detailed images with minimal color shifting or distortion. This makes it perfect for everyday use, from checking emails and texts to streaming your favorite shows. The display also features a decent brightness level, making it suitable for use in bright environments. However, I did notice some minor backlight bleed around the edges of the screen when viewing very dark content. Overall, the Motorola Moto G31's OLED display is a major highlight of this budget-friendly smartphone. Its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and immersive visuals make it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a reliable and visually appealing device without breaking the bank. In comparison to other smartphones in its class, the Moto G31's display holds its own against more expensive models. While some may argue that the camera or performance could be improved, the OLED display is undoubtedly one of the strongest selling points of this smartphone.
Camera
The Motorola Moto G31 boasts a triple-lens camera setup on its back, with the primary sensor being a 50-megapixel lens. While this sounds impressive, the actual performance is somewhat underwhelming. The camera app is packed with features, including a helpful AI-driven mode that suggests switching to portrait mode when it detects a subject. The primary camera can take some great shots in perfect lighting conditions, but its limitations become apparent in tricky situations like low light or high contrast environments. Sharpness and detail suffer, and the image often looks overly processed. This is not uncommon for smartphones at this price point, but it's still disappointing. There are also bonus camera modes aplenty on the Moto G31, including spot color, pro mode, and more. These can be a lot of fun to play around with, especially when trying to capture specific effects or moods. However, most users will likely stick with the standard auto mode, which produces perfectly acceptable but unremarkable results. The ultra-wide-angle camera struggles in low light conditions and is best used sparingly. The macro shooter, on the other hand, delivers surprisingly detailed shots of small objects when illuminated properly. Video recording is straightforward, limited to full HD resolution, and without any 60fps option or 4K capabilities. Selfie photography fares slightly better, thanks to a dedicated 13-megapixel camera at the top of the display. While not exceptional, it produces decent results that are fine for casual social media sharing. Overall, the Moto G31's camera performance is adequate but not outstanding, with some exciting features and modes hidden within its app. While it might not blow minds in terms of image quality, the Moto G31 still offers a solid smartphone photography experience for those on a budget. However, enthusiasts seeking top-tier results will find themselves wanting more.
Price and Value
The Motorola Moto G31 is a budget-friendly smartphone that has recently hit the UK market, priced at £169 for the 64GB base model. In this review, we'll take a closer look at the phone's value and whether it lives up to its price tag. Firstly, let's talk about the star of the show: the OLED display. This is the highlight of the G31, and what sets it apart from its competitors in this price bracket. The vibrant colors, deep blacks, and overall visual quality make for an excellent viewing experience. If you're after a budget phone that can deliver a great display, then the Moto G31 is definitely worth considering. However, there are some caveats to consider. The camera technology on offer is somewhat basic, and while it's suitable for everyday snaps, it won't win any awards in terms of image quality. Similarly, the performance of the phone, courtesy of its Mediatek processor, may not be as snappy as more premium devices. Despite these limitations, the Moto G31 remains an excellent value proposition. For just £169, you get a solid smartphone with a great display, and decent battery life to boot. While it may not be the most powerful or feature-packed device on the market, it's hard to deny its appeal as a budget-friendly option. So, is the Motorola Moto G31 worth considering? Absolutely. If you're after a reliable phone that won't break the bank, then this is definitely a great choice. Just don't expect too much in terms of camera prowess or lightning-fast performance. The Motorola Moto G31 offers excellent value for its price tag. While it may not be perfect, it's a solid smartphone with a great display that won't break the bank.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G31's performance is an area where it falls short compared to its peers in the budget smartphone segment. The device is powered by a mid-range processor that struggles to deliver seamless performance. In everyday use, the phone manages to handle basic tasks such as browsing the internet, checking social media, and making calls without any issues. However, when subjected to more demanding tasks like gaming or multitasking, the Moto G31's performance becomes noticeably sluggish. The device also lags behind in terms of overall speed, taking a few seconds longer than expected to launch apps or switch between them. This can be frustrating for users who are accustomed to quicker response times from their smartphones. One notable exception is the battery life, which has been decent in our testing. The 5000mAh battery provides enough juice to last through a full day, even with moderate use. However, this is not surprising given the relatively low power consumption of the processor. In terms of charging, the Moto G31 supports only 10W fast charging, which takes a bit longer than expected to top up the battery. While it's not the most impressive performance, it's still within acceptable limits for a budget smartphone. Overall, the Motorola Moto G31's performance is a mixed bag. While it gets the job done in everyday use, it falls short when subjected to more demanding tasks. If you're looking for a device that can handle heavy usage without breaking a sweat, this might not be the best choice. However, if you prioritize battery life and are willing to compromise on performance, the Moto G31 is still a viable option.
Pros
1. The highlight of the g31, the thing that sets it above and most of its pairs at this sort of price point is the oled display
2. You can get some really nice snaps if the conditions are perfect then you can get some really nice snaps
3. There's no need to worry about battery drain as the mediatek processor is quite energy efficient
4. The camera app is stuffed with features including that uh camera ai action and plenty of bonus camera modes
5. You can expect pretty basic results but more often than not, you'll probably end up chucking a lot of snaps away especially if you're trying to shoot 11 subject which moves around
6. The selfie shooter does a decent job for everyday shareable shots
Cons
1. The camera tech is rather basic as is the performance so are you tempted by the moto g31 be greater your thoughts down in the comments below
2. No 5g support sadly here on the moto g31 not given at this price point by any means
3. Just 10 watt charging which isn't exactly particularly nippy
4. The camera struggles really badly in low light or tricky conditions so definitely use it sparingly
5. Video modes are limited to full hd footage with no way of bumping that up to 4k level unfortunately there's no 60fps option either
6. Camera results can be thrown off by sharp contrast, extreme brightness and also low light making you chuck a lot of snaps away